Where are those 6 new year resolutions now?

Goals are like seeds, we cannot constantly be stirring the soil around them, least we interfeer with the sprouting magic, but once or twice it is good to check and see what might need more nurturing. Early in the year I wrote specific yogic goals for 2010, let’s see where they are now:

1- Meditate daily

Hmmm.  This one needs some nurturing.  I have been meditating on and off, but mostly off.  I have blamed it on the move, my father’s death and so on, and in part I have to admit that these events have been challenging,  but the more I practice the more I realize that when we are coming up with the bigger amount of excuses is usually the time we need it the most. 

As an inspiration, the Ramakrishna Boston Vedanta Society has a wonderful podcast on the basics of meditation.  I just head it a few days ago, without knowing that I would be writting about meditation today, perhaps an omen?  The podcast suggests making it a habit, with its own ritual around it, specifically when it comes to time, space, even the clothes we use to meditate.

2- Re-establish pranayama practice

Pranayama (breath extension, or breathing exercises), the fourth limb of yoga comes after asana (poses) and before pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses).   My own practice which is now steady has, interestingly enough, helped with both the previous and the following limb.  I find that as my capacity for kapalabhati increases so does the amount of time I can stay hanging in dropbacks, or the amount of time I can stay in kurmasana (without freaking out), or my capacity to stay calm under deep adjustments.  I find that the more I can stay with the breath the closer I come to center, silence, and concentration during practice, which so far is the closest I have come to pratyahara.

I am grateful that pureyoga has individual rooms where people can practice independently after practice.  This is useful as it does not interfere with other people who might wonder what it is I am doing and hence interrupt class.  I like practicing after asana, although sometimes this makes practice a 3 hour affair. 

3-Drop back

I am totally surrendered on this one.  When I first drew this commitment in my mind I thought I would be able to do it in two months by following some advise I found on a Mysore yoga website, but I know now that drop backs are a blessing.  We can work on them but when they will actually happen is more up to Krishna, or God, or the Almighty,  not me.   my latest video shows progress and is promising to see the bending getting deeper.  I am happy.

4- Come back from drop backs

Ditto from 3, and all I can say on this specific topic is that when John helped me get my hands much closer to my feet a few days ago it actually felt good. and I was able to breathe all 5 counts while there. 

5-Start the intermediate series

This happened only a few days ago or, shall I say: right on target!.  I welcome the challenge of pasasana as my practice was getting really boring.  

When I was taking all those math classes in college I found that I would really learn, say, Calc I when I took Calc II, and then I would really understand Calc II when I took Calc III.   Something like this is happening to me as I practice pasasana now. I find deeper awareness in all of the seated poses of the primary series, and a better disposition towards Urdhva Danurasana.

I have found a lot of joy in reading about the intermediate series, especially Maehle’s book on it. I believe we are blessed to be able to start a whole new enterprise with resources like this at our fingertips.

6-Become enlightened

Not yet, but I can tell you that my curiosity for the path has every increased, and I am open to blessings. 

So, how about you?  is there some progress you would like to share on yours?